JP5235757B2 - Engine starter for idling stop vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine starting device for an idling stop vehicle.

  In the engine start in the conventional idling stop vehicle, the starter motor is regulated and energized so as to synchronize with the rotational speed of the engine, and the starter motor side gear is fitted to the engine side gear to restart the engine (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

  Also in other conventional devices, when an engine restart request is generated, the starter motor is energized, and when the difference between the engine rotational speed and the starter motor rotational speed falls within a predetermined range, The directly connected pinion gear is moved in the front-rear direction and fitted into the ring gear to restart the engine (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-70699 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-330813

  However, the apparatus of Patent Document 1 requires a system for energizing the starter motor with speed control. In such a regulated energization system, for example, when a voltage is changed by duty control or the like, an electronic circuit such as a relay or a transistor must be provided.

  Further, in the apparatus of Patent Document 2, since the starter motor is energized after a request for restarting the engine is generated and the engine and the starter motor are synchronized to engage the gears, the rotation speed of the starter motor is increased. In particular, there is a problem that a delay in restart is conspicuous when a restart request is generated immediately after the idling stop state is reached.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and eliminates the need for speed-control energization to the starter motor, thereby eliminating the need for relays and transistors for speed-control energization and reducing costs. To provide an engine starter for an idling stop vehicle that shortens the time until it can be fitted by starting energization of a starter motor prior to a restart request after an idling stop condition is established With the goal.

The present invention is an engine starter for an idling stop vehicle that stops an engine when a predetermined idling stop condition is satisfied during idling of the vehicle,
A ring gear coupled to the crankshaft of the engine, a starter motor, a pinion gear that transmits rotation of the starter motor, a starter motor unit including pinion gear coupling means for fitting the pinion gear to the ring gear, and a starter motor unit A starter control unit that performs control, and when the starter control unit satisfies a predetermined starter motor rotation start condition prior to cancellation of the idling stop condition by a restart request when the idling stop condition is satisfied, the starter motor Ring gear rotation speed for detecting rotation speed of the ring gear by connecting the pinion gear to the ring gear by the pinion gear coupling means when the predetermined pinion gear fitting condition is satisfied Further comprising detection means, The starter motor rotation start condition is that the rotation speed of the ring gear is equal to or lower than a first predetermined value after the idling stop condition is satisfied, and the pinion gear engagement condition is that the ring gear rotation speed is a second predetermined value. Ri der it becomes less than the value, the starter motor is connected to the battery via a transformer, the Rukoto is energized to lower than the battery voltage voltage to the starter starter control unit controls the said transformer motor In an engine starter for an idling stop vehicle characterized.

  According to the present invention, since the starter motor is energized according to the starter motor rotation start condition determined by the starter control unit, an electronic circuit such as a relay or a transistor for speed-regulating energization is unnecessary, and the engine is started. Cost reduction. Further, since the starter motor rotation speed can be increased more quickly without energizing the engine restart request, the time required for starting can be shortened.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an engine starter for an idling stop vehicle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2 is an operation flowchart according to control of a starter control unit of the engine starter of FIG. 1. It is a schematic block diagram of the engine starting apparatus for the idling stop vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart by control of the starter control part of the engine starting apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the engine starting apparatus for the idling stop vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. 6 is an operation flowchart by control of a starter control unit of the engine starter of FIG. 5. It is a general | schematic fragmentary block diagram of the engine starting apparatus for the idling stop vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an engine starter for an idling stop vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings according to each embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an engine starting device for an idling stop vehicle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an engine ECU (Electric Control Unit) 10 generates a restart request by establishing an idling stop condition and canceling the idling stop condition based on the state of each part of the engine and signals from various detectors for engine control. Determination is made, and an idling stop condition satisfaction signal, a restart request signal (for example, cancellation of the idling stop condition satisfaction signal), and the like are input to the engine starter 18.

  In the engine starting device 18, the ring gear 11 transmits the rotation of the engine. A ring gear rotation speed sensor (ring gear rotation speed detection means) 12 detects the rotation speed of the ring gear 11. The starter motor unit 17 includes a plunger 14, a starter motor 15, and a pinion gear 16. The starter control unit 13 controls the energization of the starter motor unit 17 to the starter motor 15 according to signals from the engine ECU 10 and the ring gear rotation speed sensor 12.

  In the starter motor unit 17, the starter motor 15 is energized by a battery (see 21 in FIG. 7) under the control of the starter control unit 13, whereby the pinion gear 16 connected to the starter motor 15 rotates. Further, the pinion gear 16 is moved by the plunger 14 in accordance with the control of the starter control unit 13 to be connected to the ring gear 11.

  FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart according to the control of the starter control unit of the engine starter shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the processing in the starter control unit 13 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not an idling stop condition is established based on an idling stop condition establishment signal from the engine ECU 10 (S10: idling stop condition = starter motor rotation start condition). If it is determined that the idling stop condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S20, and energization of the starter motor 15 from the battery (see 21 in FIG. 7) is started at the battery voltage.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the pinion gear fitting condition is satisfied (S30: pinion gear fitting condition). If the pinion gear fitting condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S40. Here, the pinion gear fitting condition is that the ring gear rotation speed Nr detected by the ring gear rotation speed sensor 12 is a steady value of the starter rotation speed by the input voltage, and the ring gear 11 and the pinion gear 16 can be fitted. The difference between the rotational speed difference (Ne) and Na (for example, 300 rpm. In the present invention, for the sake of simplicity, the rotational speeds are all described below in terms of the rotational speed of the ring gear), and Nr <Na If it is established, the process proceeds to step S40.

  Then, the energization to the starter motor 15 is stopped (S40), and the pinion gear 16 is pushed out by the plunger 14 to be engaged with the ring gear 11 (S50). In step S60 (restart request condition), it is determined whether or not the idling stop condition is satisfied. For example, the idling stop condition is not satisfied by an action such as the driver removing his foot from the brake pedal or stepping on the accelerator. If the idling stop condition establishment signal from the engine ECU 10 is canceled and the restart request signal is input, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, it is determined whether or not the ring gear rotation speed Nr is higher than the rotation speed Nb (for example, 500 rpm) at which the engine can be started by fuel reinjection. It should be noted that the starter control unit of the present invention is not directly involved in starting the engine by fuel re-injection (the same applies hereinafter). If Nb or less in step S70, the starter motor unit 17 is energized again to transmit rotation to the engine and start (S90). In this manner, the starter control unit 13 can instruct energization of the starter motor 15 and the operation of the plunger 14, connect the ring gear 11 and the pinion gear 16, and restart the engine.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the engine ECU 10 that commands establishment of the idling stop condition (S10), the ring gear 11 that transmits the rotation of the engine, and the ring gear rotation speed that detects the rotation speed of the ring gear. A sensor 12, a starter motor unit 17, and a starter control unit 13 that determines energization to the starter motor 15, an operation command for the plunger 14, and a pinion gear fitting condition (S 30).

  The starter motor unit 17 includes a starter motor 15 that rotates by energization from the starter control unit 13, a pinion gear 16 that transmits the rotation of the starter motor 15, and a plunger 14 that connects the ring gear 11 and the pinion gear 16. . The starter control unit 13 receives a signal from the engine ECU 10 and operates a starter motor unit 17 including a plunger 14, a starter motor 15, and a pinion gear 16 according to the flowchart of FIG. 2.

  According to the first embodiment, the establishment of the idling stop condition is input to the starter control unit 13 by the engine ECU 10, and the starter motor unit 17 is energized simultaneously with the establishment of the idling stop condition (idling stop condition = starter (Motor rotation start condition), the time taken for the pinion gear 16 and the ring gear 11 to be engaged is reduced, and once they are engaged, the idling stop condition is not satisfied (restart request is generated). At that point, the engine can be started. In addition, a mechanism for adjusting the voltage is not necessary.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an engine starter for an idling stop vehicle according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart according to the control of the starter control unit of the engine starter of FIG. Parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals or symbols followed by “A”, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, the timer 19 is further provided in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, and the starter controller 13A performs processing based on a signal from the timer.

  In FIG. 3, the engine starter 18 </ b> A further includes a starter controller 13 </ b> A that performs control using a timer 19. When the idling stop condition is satisfied, the starter control unit 13A measures the time elapsed T from the satisfaction of the idling stop condition by the timer 19. Next, the processing in the starter control unit 13A in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S10A (idling stop condition), if it is determined that the idling stop condition is satisfied by the input of the idling stop condition satisfaction signal from the engine ECU 10, the process proceeds to step S210, and if not, the process is terminated. In step S210 (starter motor rotation start condition), the time T from when the idling stop condition measured by the timer 19 is satisfied decreases to a rotation speed at which the ring gear rotation speed cannot be restarted by fuel injection due to inertial rotation. If the time Ta (for example, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S20A. If the time Ta has not elapsed, that is, if Ta seconds or less, the process proceeds to step S220.

  In step S220 (restart request condition), it is determined based on a signal from the engine ECU 10 whether or not the idling stop condition is satisfied. If satisfied, the process returns to step S210, and if not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S100A. The engine is started by injection. In step S20A, the starter motor 15 is energized by the battery voltage from the battery, the pinion gear 16 is rotated, and the process proceeds to step S30A.

  In step S30A (pinion gear engagement condition), the time T after the idling stop condition is satisfied is the sum Tb of the time required for the rotation speed of the starter motor to reach a steady value and Ta (for example, 0.3b). And the ring gear rotation speed Nr detected by the ring gear rotation speed sensor 12 is the sum of the steady value of the starter rotation speed by the input voltage and the rotation speed difference that can be fitted. It is determined whether or not it is less than Na (for example, 300 rpm). If at least one of Nr <Na and T> Tb is established, the energization to the starter motor 15 is stopped (S40A), and the process proceeds to step S50A. In step S <b> 50 </ b> A, the pinion gear 16 is pushed out by the plunger 14 and is engaged with the ring gear 11. In step S30A, when both Nr <Na and T> Tb are established, energization may be stopped and the gear may be engaged. Furthermore, only one of Nr and T may be determined.

  Then, it is determined whether or not an idling stop condition is satisfied (S60A: restart request condition). If not satisfied, the starter motor is energized to start the engine (S90A).

  As described above, in the starter control unit 13A according to the time input from the timer 19, for example, in an engine in which the decrease in the engine rotation speed after the idle stop is slow, the start of energization to the starter motor 15 decreases the ring gear rotation speed. By delaying to a predetermined time, useless energization time can be reduced, and the life of the starter motor can be extended (reduction of brush wear, etc.).

  In addition, the starter rotation speed becomes a steady value by stopping the energization after the time until the starter rotation speed reaches a steady value and the ring gear rotation speed decreases to a rotation speed that can be fitted with the steady value of the starter rotation speed. It becomes easier to fit.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the timer 19 is further provided, and the starter control unit 13A further uses the time T after the idling stop condition input from the timer 19 is satisfied, Since the motor is energized, unnecessary energization can be omitted.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an engine starting device for an idling stop vehicle according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart according to the control of the starter control unit of the engine starter shown in FIG. Parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals or “B” after the reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, the timer 19 is provided. However, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a pinion gear rotation speed detection unit (pinion gear rotation speed detection) further detects the rotation speed Np of the pinion gear 16. Means) 20, and based on the signal from the pinion gear rotation speed detector 20, the starter controller 13B performs processing.

  In FIG. 5, the engine starter 18 </ b> B further includes a starter controller 13 </ b> B that performs control using a pinion gear rotation speed detector 20. The pinion gear rotation speed detection unit 20 may detect the rotation speed Np of the pinion gear using, for example, a Hall element, or may use a known estimation technique. Then, the obtained pinion gear rotation speed Np is input to the starter control unit 13B. Next, the processing in the starter control unit 13B according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined in step S10B (idling stop condition) that the idling stop condition is satisfied by the input of the idling stop condition satisfaction signal from the engine ECU 10, the process proceeds to step S310, and if not, the process ends. In step S310 (starter motor rotation start condition), it is determined whether or not the ring gear rotation speed Nr measured by the ring gear rotation speed sensor 12 is higher than the rotation speed Nb (for example, 500 rpm) that can be restarted by fuel injection. If it is determined that it is equal to or less than Nb, the process proceeds to step S20B, and if greater than Nb, the process proceeds to step S220A.

  In step S220B (restart request condition), it is determined whether or not the idling stop condition is satisfied based on a signal from the engine ECU 10. If satisfied, the process returns to step S310, and if not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S100B. The engine is started by injection. In step S20B, the starter motor 15 is energized by the battery voltage from the battery, the pinion gear 16 is rotated, and the process proceeds to step S30B.

  In step S30B (pinion gear engagement condition), the absolute value of the difference between the pinion gear rotation speed Np detected by the pinion gear rotation speed detector 20 and the ring gear rotation speed Nr measured by the ring gear rotation speed sensor 12 | It is determined whether or not Np−Nr | is less than a fitting rotational speed difference Ne (for example, 100 rpm). If less than Ne, energization of the starter motor 15 is stopped (S40B), and the process proceeds to step S320.

  In S320 (fitting prohibition means), it is determined whether or not the engine is rotating in the reverse direction due to the inertial rotation. That is, it is determined whether or not the ring gear rotation speed Nr is greater than Nc (for example, 0 rpm). If it is greater, the process proceeds to step S50B, and if it is equal to or less than Nc, it is determined that the ring gear 11 may reversely rotate. The process proceeds to step S330, and the engine is normally started after the engine is completely stopped. After step S50B, the same processing as step S50A and subsequent steps in the second embodiment is performed, and the engine is started by the starter (FIG. 4).

  Note that the fitting prohibiting means corresponding to steps S320 and S330 for determining that there is a possibility that the rotation speed of the engine decreases due to inertial rotation and the ring gear 11 rotates in reverse is only the timing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Instead, it may be performed at other timings, or may be performed at desired multiple times. Furthermore, during the operation shown in FIG. 6, it is always possible to detect the possibility of the reverse rotation of the ring gear in parallel with this, and prohibit the gear engagement when there is a possibility of reverse rotation. Good.

  As described above, the starter controller 13B can delay the start of energization to the starter motor 15 until the ring gear rotation speed is lowered by the input from the ring gear rotation speed sensor 12, thereby further reducing the extra energization time. Thus, the life of the starter motor 15 can be extended (brush wear reduction, etc.).

  In addition, after the rotational speed difference between the pinion gear rotational speed detected by the pinion gear rotational speed detection unit 20 and the ring gear rotational speed detected by the ring gear rotational speed sensor 12 has decreased to less than a fitting rotational speed. By stopping the energization, it becomes easier to fit smoothly.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the pinion gear rotation speed detection unit 20 is further provided, and the starter control unit 13B further uses the pinion gear rotation speed Np input from the pinion gear rotation speed detection unit 20. Because the starter is energized, for example, unnecessary energization is omitted when the idling rotational speed is high, and when the difference between the ring gear rotational speed and the pinion gear rotational speed becomes small, the energization is stopped and fitted. , Can be fitted smoothly. Further, by prohibiting the ring gear from being engaged during reverse rotation, damage to the pinion gear and the ring gear can be avoided.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic partial configuration diagram of an engine starting device for an idling stop vehicle according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the first to third embodiments, the starter motor 15 is energized by the battery voltage as it is from the battery 21, but as shown in FIG. 7, the starter control unit 13 is connected to the power supply line from the battery 21 to the starter motor 15. , 13A, 13B may be provided with an inverter 22 that is a transformer whose transformation ratio can be controlled, and low voltage power obtained by stepping down the voltage supplied from the battery 21 may be supplied to the starter motor 15. As a result, supply of a high voltage unnecessarily can be suppressed, and fluctuations in the supply voltage due to battery voltage fluctuations can also be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the inverter 22 is further provided, and the supply voltage from the battery 21 is transformed, so that supply of an unnecessarily high voltage can be suppressed and a stable voltage can be obtained. Can be supplied.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that all possible combinations of these embodiments are included. For example, the starter motor rotation start condition in step S10 of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, step S210 of FIG. 4 of the second embodiment, and step S310 of FIG. 6 of the third embodiment and the starter motor rotation start condition of FIG. The pinion gear engagement conditions in step S30, step S30A of FIG. 4 of the second embodiment, and step S30B of FIG. 6 of the third embodiment are appropriately determined according to the situation if a necessary timer or rotation speed detection unit is provided. You may carry out by changing a combination.
In addition, although the starter control unit 13 and the engine ECU 10 in the engine starter 18 are illustrated separately, the processing in the starter control unit 13 may be performed in the engine ECU 10, or a new dedicated ECU separately from the engine ECU 10. May be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Engine ECU, 11 Ring gear, 12 Ring gear rotational speed sensor, 13, 13A, 13B Starter control part, 14 Plunger, 15 Starter motor, 16 Pinion gear, 17 Starter motor part, 18, 18A, 18B Engine starter, 19 Timer, 20 pinion gear rotation speed detector, 21 battery, 22 inverter.

Claims (4)

An engine starter for an idling stop vehicle that stops an engine when a predetermined idling stop condition is satisfied during idling of the vehicle,
A ring gear connected to the crankshaft of the engine;
A starter motor including a starter motor, a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of the starter motor, and pinion gear coupling means for fitting the pinion gear to the ring gear;
A starter control unit for controlling the starter motor unit;
With
When the idling stop condition is satisfied, the starter control unit energizes and rotates the starter motor when a predetermined starter motor rotation start condition is satisfied prior to the cancellation of the idling stop condition due to a restart request, and a predetermined pinion gear When the fitting condition is established, the pinion gear is fitted and connected to the ring gear by the pinion gear connecting means,
A ring gear rotation speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the ring gear;
The starter motor rotation start condition is that the rotation speed of the ring gear becomes equal to or lower than a first predetermined value after the idling stop condition is satisfied, and the pinion gear engagement condition is that the ring gear rotation speed is second. der it became of less than a predetermined value is,
The starter motor is connected to the battery via a transformer, an engine for an idling stop vehicle in which the starter controller is characterized Rukoto is energized to lower than the battery voltage voltage to the starter motor by controlling the transformer Starter.   Pinion gear rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the pinion gear is further provided, and the pinion gear engagement condition is detected by the pinion gear rotation speed detection means and the ring gear rotation speed detection means. 2. The engine starter for an idling stop vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the difference from the ring gear rotational speed detected in step 1 is less than a third predetermined value.   The engine starter for an idling stop vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the starter control unit stops energization to the starter motor when the pinion gear fitting condition is satisfied.   The starter control unit determines that the engine is not completely stopped after the idling stop condition is satisfied, and the ring gear rotation speed detected by the ring gear rotation speed detection means may cause the ring gear to reversely rotate. And a fitting prohibiting means for prohibiting the fitting of the ring gear and the pinion gear even if the pinion gear fitting condition is satisfied during a period equal to or less than a fourth predetermined value. The engine starter for an idling stop vehicle according to any one of the items 3 to 3.

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